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staff, mutual support by the members and the variety of occupation
that is offered at the Centre, i.e. woodwork, a wide range of
handicrafts and out-work from local industries. The Centre workshops
were re-organised with the addition of more sophisticated
tools and machinery which enabled many more handicapped
persons to take part in the inwork production of the Centre. As a
result of a personal visit by the Superintendent to more than 50
local industries a reasonable amount of out-work such as spectacle
frame making, and assembly sample packing in excess of three
million was obtained. Today we are assembling electric packing
machinery for the export market and are successful in competitive
tendering against commercial organisations. The Centre is now
recognized for its reliability, product quality and service with
local industries; thus members may begin to earn something for
the work they do for the first time for many years; their achievement
is recognized and valued.
The age range of those attending is from 16 years to over 60
years. Some special activities such as printing and a pop record
session have been developed for the younger members. The
attendance of a hairdresser and barber are most important in
encouraging interest in personal appearances.
Transport is a vital factor in the life of most handicapped
people. The acquisition of a second vehicle this year has enabled
more people to attend. However there is an almost insatiable
need for transport of varying kinds. Many of those attending have
their own invacars and are not dependent on others for getting to
and fro.
During the year the social club has flourished and their
membership is now well over 100. They meet regularly one evening
a month at the Centre. Three other clubs for handicapped
people also use the facilities of the Centre during the evenings.
Social activities in the borough have increased and given housebound
people an opportunity to meet socially with others and to
share in various social activities and entertainments.
A wider variety of occupations with the growing numbers
attending the Centre is already resulting in a lack of space.
Extensions to the building will soon be necessary. Likewise more
staff will be required. The additional Instructor who joined the
staff in December has been fully occupied and enabled a wider
choice of handicrafts to be given with more individual attention to
the members.
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